Gum Care: Saving Your Smile One Day at a Time

Posted September 3, 2015.

Have you ever heard of gingivitis? If not, let me tell you a little bit about it. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and it occurs when the plaque on your teeth begins to irritate your gums. The longer the plaque resides on your teeth, the more the plaque will grow and destroy your gums. As time passes by, the plaque will turn into tartar and it will begin poisoning your gums and underlying bone, which will eventually result in loose and lost teeth. So, if you wish to prevent this unfortunate and painful disease, we strongly recommend doing the following:

Brush your teethBrush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. This will help remove the plaque from your smile each day, and it will help your teeth and gums remain in a strong and healthy condition. As you brush, please be careful to not brush too hard. If you do, your brush will begin to harm your gums, making them recede and bleed.

Floss your smileFloss your smile at least once a day, whether it’s before bed or in the morning when you wake up. Flossing will help remove the plaque from the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth, like between your teeth, which will help prevent gum disease. Flossing will also deeply clean along the gum line, which will help keep your gums in tip-top shape.

Rinse your mouthRinse your mouth with mouthwash daily. If you can, rinse with anti-gingivitis mouthwash. This rinse will deeply clean your smile, kill the plaque on your teeth, and strengthen and nourish your gums. Simply sip a small amount of rinse into your mouth, swish it around, and spit in into the sink after 30-40 seconds, or after the amount of time suggested on the mouthwash label.

Visit your dentistPlease make sure you visit your dentist every six months. Your dental cleanings are extremely important if you wish to have strong and healthy gums. During the cleanings, your dentist or hygienist will use a special tool to completely remove the plaque from your teeth. This technique can only be performed in the dental office, and it is vital if you want to prevent any stage of gum disease.

Call our office today if you have any questions about gum care or about gum disease. We are here to help you care for your smile, and we are delighted to do so by answering your dental care questions!